Shoe insole



- T. GUTWEIN April 11, 1939.

SHOE INSOLE Filed Nov. 29, 1957 INVENTOR.

, THEODORE Gum/5w H/S ATTORNEYS,-

Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination insole and filler for a shoe.

The object of the invention is to provide a combination insole andfiller of fabric and sponge rubber which will be eflicient in use,lenditself to the economical manufacture of a shoe for which it isprovided, and which will be economical to manufacture. The device isintended to replace the conventional leather insole and cork filler.

Specific objects will be apparent from the following detail descriptionof a specific embodiment of the invention, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, while the invention comprises the elements andtheir combinations specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Claims directed to a shoe having a filler element of the characterherein described are included in' my copending application Serial No.176,956, filed November 29, 1937.

Fig. l is a view showing a sheet or filler material and a method forproducing a blank. I

Fig. 2 is a view showing the blank of filler material and a method ofpreparing the blank for incorporation in the completed insole.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section on line 3-3, 1

Fig. 2. r

Fig. 4 is a plan view of an insole embodying the invention with some ofthe parts rolled, better to illustrate the construction.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on line 5-5, Fig.4.

A sheet of filler material is first prepared by vulcanizing a fabric toone side of a sheet of sponge rubber. Thus by heat and pressure therubber impregnates the fabric and the fabric is substantially embeddedin the rubber. While it is to be understood that this invention is notlimited to any particular thickness of sponge rubber nor to any weightor grade of fabric, a more particular description of materials may bemade to assist in understanding and practicing the invention. The sheetof sponge rubber is preferably or $4; inch in thickness, although forsome purposes thicker material may be de sired, but thinner materialwill seldom if ever be used. It has been found that cotton duck of aweight of 9% ounces to the yard is a satisfactory fabric for thepurpose.

Fig. 1 illustrates a sheet of prepared filler material with the spongerubber designated by the numeral I and the fabric by the numeral 2. Theoperation of vulcanizing the fabric to the rubber so intimatelyassociates the fabric and the rubber, with the impregnationof the rubberinto the interstices of the fabric, that when-viewed from riphery of themember.

the fabric side the duck has the appearance of cheesecloth.

A clicker die D may be used preferably to die out the blank from whichis formed a filler strip or member. The contour of the blank willconform to the shape and size of the insole pattern of a particular shoefor which the insole is intended.

Fig. 2 illustrates a blank undergoing a trimming operation, by which astrip of rubber is removed "or skived from the periphery of the blank,leavprovided having a layer of sponge rubber intimately associated withor substantially embedding the layer of fabric,- with a wing or strip ofrubberized fabric extending outwardlyabout the me- The completed insoleincludes the filler member described, having a sponge rubber layer lsuperimposed upon and vulcanized to a layer of fabric 2 with anattaching wing 3 of rubberized fabric extending outwardly from thesponge rubber, and a top layer 5 and a bottom layer 8 of the fabric. Thelayer 5 is intendedfor the inside of the shoe while the layer 6 isintended for the sole side of the shoe.- The filler member is arrangedwith the fabric 2 adjacent the fabric 5. The three parts described, thatis, the filler member, the fabric 5 and the fabric 6, may be securedtogether by cement. Preferably, they are also connected by a double lineof stitches l passing through the three parts along the strip 3.

While the invention is not limited to a particular material or grade ofmaterial, a more particular'description of satisfactory components mayassist in understanding and practicing the invention. A material knownas airplane fabric, first treated with Dupont dope, has been founddesirable for the layer 5. This material is such as is used andspecified by the Army and Navy regulations for use in the wings andfuselages of airplanes, and is a material which is very tightly wovenand with many threads to the inch.

The dope referred to is the same as that used in the treatment of suchmaterials for airplane uses and adds to the strength and stiflness ofthe material. This particular cloth is recommended for the inside of theinsole because it provides a smooth surface for the foot and at the sametime has the required strength and stifiness.

A material well known as Army duck. which also may be treated by Dupontdope..has been found desirable for the layer 8.

The insole may have perforations passing through some or all of thelayers.

The method described for preparation of the filler member isparticularly desirable in the combination here disclosed for severalreasons. It provides means for incorporating a sponge rubber filler intoan insole' and atthe same time the layer of fabric, stiffened andstrengthened by its impregnation with rubber, gives the requiredstillness and strength necessary for the article. This stiffness andstrength is also inherent in the attaching wing or strip 3 of the flllermember.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction, within thescope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of thisinvention. Parts of the invention may be used without the whole andvarious additions may be made to the simple construction hereinillustrated and described while retaining the advantages of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A combined insole and filler comprising a cushion member consistingof a layer of sponge rubber, superimposed upon and vulcanized to a layerof fabric, the sponge rubber being smaller in extent than the layer offabric, whereby a wing of fabric is provided about and beyond the spongerubber; and one or more layers of stiffening material corresponding tothe insole pattern of a shoe superimposed upon and secured to thecushion member.

2. A combined insole and filler comprising a cushion member consistingof a layer of fabric and a layer of sponge rubber smaller in extent thanthe layer of fabric with the fabric substantially embedded in the rubberthroughout the extent of the sponge rubber layer, whereby a wing offabric about and beyond the sponge rubber is provided, and layers offabric attached to the two sides of said member respectively.

3. A combined insole and filler comprising a cushion member consistingof a layer of rubberized fabric corresponding to the insole pattern of ashoe and a layer of sponge rubber smaller in extent than the layer offabric superimposed upon the fabric and integral with the rubber of thefabric throughout the extent of the sponge rubber,- whereby a wing ofrubberized fabric is provided beyond and about the sponge rubber, one ormore layers of fabric co-extensive with and superimposed upon saidcushion member, and two spaced lines of stitches extending through thewing and said last mentioned layers of fabric.

THEODORE GUTWEIN.

